Children watched a magic show and made chalk drawings on the sidewalk outside Edith Wheeler Memorial Library during a summer reading registration event on Saturday, June 22. Though the occasion marked the official start of the program, Library Director Lorna Rhyins says residents can sign up all summer long.
Ivona De Carvalho’s three children are among this year’s participants.
“I think it’s wonderful, because I think kids regress over the summer,” De Carvalho said. “The summer reading program they have here is awesome. The kids love it.”
Sofia, 7, De Carvalho’s oldest child, likes the Elephant and Piggie book series. On June 22, her other two children, Olivia, 5, and Dominic, 3, had fun making chalk drawings on the library sidewalk. The children’s launch party also featured lawn games. This year’s theme is a “Universe of Stories.”
Edith Wheeler Memorial Library’s summer reading program is for all ages. Participants in children, teen and adult categories earn tickets for chances to win gift baskets full of prizes donated by local businesses.
Drawings for the children’s baskets will be held during the End of Summer Party behind the library, 733 Monroe Turnpike, at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. Families will bring dinner to the picnic and the library will provide dessert.
Children will play lawn games and Rhyins said magician, Scott Jameson, will provide the entertainment.
The teen party for students entering grades 7 to 12 is scheduled for Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. The library will provide pizza and an ice cream sundae bar.
There will be no event for adults, whose raffle winners will receive phone calls about their prizes.
Michelle Turbak, the children’s services librarian, said this year’s program will be easier for participants to register for and understand.
“In the past, each program had a different set of rules, as well as different brochures and locations,” she said. “We decided to simplify things by having one set of rules for everyone and by allowing people to register the whole family at any one of our sign-up centers in the library. This year, a parent can register themselves and their kids all at once using the same username and password. It’s much easier.”
People can also sign up online at www.ewml.org.
